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The Next Day

The Garage

Mahoro、Nagi...

Hotaru...

Hotaru(The tension in the air is so heavy...)

Hotaru(But I already made up my mind.)

HotaruU-Um... I...!

NagiHouka. Can you say that again?

HoukaCertainly♪ What would you all say to having Shiomi-san join the band?

MahoroUm... What do you mean...?

HoukaExactly as I said. Shiomi-san would play piano for us as a support member.

NagiSorry... I'm not following. What is her playing piano supposed to change?

NagiEven if you add piano, Mahoro's burden isn't going anywhere, is it?

HoukaIt would give us a way to keep millsage from disbanding.

NagiDon't toss that out like it's nothing.

NagiBesides, you're the one who said it, Houka. You said it would be better to end things as we are.

HoukaUntil a few days ago, I believed that was our only choice as well.

HoukaBut... if there is even a chance we might not have to, would it not be worth considering?

NagiThat... is...

MahoroHouka-chan, so this chance you mentioned... the one that means we might not have to disband... is Hotaru-chan?

NagiMahoro...!

Mahoromillsage... was the band Kanata started.

MahoroIf we disband, we won't gather here together anymore, and we won't get to play our songs anymore...

MahoroIt's the last memory we have left of her...

Nagi...!

NagiBut... think about it. Piano was Kanata's part, you know? Are we really okay with that?

HoukaEven professional bands, at times, undergo lineup changes under deeply unfortunate circumstances.

HoukaSuch decisions often divide opinion among fans... but I believe the members who remain make that choice so they may carry the band onward.

HoukaSo long as the songs continue to be performed... so long as the band itself endures, the original members' presence remains within it.

HoukaPerhaps it is a declaration of resolve, a way of saying, "We will not forget."

Nagi...

HoukaBesides... Shiomi-san is Kanata-san's apprentice. I cannot imagine she would ever dishonor what Kanata-san left behind.

HotaruY-yes! Of course I wouldn't...!

HoukaTo begin with, this support arrangement was proposed by Shiomi-san herself.

MahoroHuh...? Hotaru-chan did?

HotaruI was the one who brought it up... I asked if there was anything at all I could do.

HotaruI'm sure all of you have talked this over again and again.

HotaruI know very well that it isn't my place, as an outsider, to say anything...

HotaruBut...! Kanata-san told me she wanted all of you "to be happy."

Mahoro...!

HotaruIf that was Kanata-san's wish... then I want to make it come true!

HotaruI hope Kanata-san can smile... and that all of you can, too!

HotaruI think... there's no way Kanata-san would have wanted an ending like the band disbanding...!

MahoroI...

NatsumeHah... What a beautiful little fantasy.

MahoroNatsume-chan...!

Hotaru(So this is Natsume-san...!)

HoukaI have been expecting you. Please, this way.

NatsumeDon't give me that "expecting you" act...! Why are you trying to decide the band's future without me?!

NatsumeWhat are you thinking, Houka?!

HoukaWhat else would I be thinking of? The survival of the band, naturally.

NatsumeThe survival of the band? Don't make me laugh!

NatsumeMahoro, Nagi, use your heads and think this through!

NatsumeThe second that girl joins, it becomes something else. It won't be the band you're trying so hard to keep from disbanding anymore.

HoukaBy that reasoning, millsage would already no longer be millsage as things stand...

NatsumeExactly! That's what I've been saying! Without Kanata, it isn't millsage!

NatsumeThere's no point playing in a band like that!

Hotaru...

Hotaru(I understand how Natsume-san feels. I really do.)

Hotaru(But still...)

Hotaru(Natsume-san looks so sad, too. So...)

HotaruU-um...!

NatsumeWhat...?

HotaruN-nice to meet you. My name is Hotaru Shiomi!

NatsumeHuh...?

HotaruI'm truly... truly sorry for bringing all this up and confusing everyone.

HotaruBut, please... Could you at least consider keeping the band going...?

HotaruI... I want everyone who loved Kanata-san to be happy.

HotaruAnd that includes you too, Natsume-san...!

NatsumeWhat...?

HotaruYou must have been hurt... and sad... and it must have been so painful.

HotaruBut... if the band is gone, I think you'll regret it someday...!

NatsumeWhat is with that girl...? She doesn't know a thing, but she keeps talking like she understands...!

Natsume"I want you to be happy?!" Don't decide I'm unhappy for me.

NatsumeI decide what makes me happy.

NatsumeYou're just playing savior to someone you decided was pitiful so you can feel good about yourself!

Hotaru...!

MahoroNatsume-chan, that is...

HoukaMy, that was rather harsh.

Nagi...

Hotaru(My legs are shaking. I can't even look up...)

Hotaru(Having anger thrown straight at me like this... really is scary.)

Hotaru(Natsume-san is right.)

Hotaru(Saying I want to make everyone happy... sounds so stupid.)

Hotaru(But...!)

HotaruIt’s my... assignment.

Natsume...?

HotaruIt’s something... I have to do.

HotaruMy promise to Kanata-san...!

HotaruPlease tell me, Natsume-san.

NatsumeHuh...?

HotaruWhat do I have to do for you to accept me? What do I have to do to prove that I'm serious?!

NatsumeH-huh?! Like I said, that's just your own problem...

HoukaWhy not settle this with a battle?

Natsume!?

HotaruA battle...?

HoukaYes. Natsume-san will improvise on guitar, and Shiomi-san will answer it with her own arrangement.

HoukaIn other words, you could call it... "Let's do a jam session!"♪

NagiThat's... what Natsume-senpai and Kanata used to do...!

NatsumeHouka! You just had to stick your nose in again...!

HoukaBecause it would settle things much faster, wouldn’t it?

HoukaNatsume-san has her reservations about Shiomi-san, while Shiomi-san wishes to earn Natsume-san's respect.

HoukaIn that case, there is only one way to settle this: a battle of skill♪ Wouldn't you agree? If you don't like having her here, then beat her with your own playing and send her back.

NatsumeHah. Like that little runt could ever keep up with me.

HoukaHmm, is that so...? What do you say, Shiomi-san?

HotaruI... I'll do it. Please let me try!

HotaruIf that is what it takes for Natsume-san to accept me...! If that is what it takes for all of you to accept me.

Mahoro、Nagi...

HotaruBecause... I am Kanata-san's apprentice.

NatsumeFine. Come at me, then. I'll wipe the floor with you!

HoukaThen let us begin at once♪ You two have no objections, I trust?

MahoroYeah...

NagiIf Mahoro is okay with it...

HoukaAs for the piano... Let us have you use Kanata-san's. This way.

HotaruI got it...

Hotaru(This is... the piano Kanata-san used to play.)

Hotaru(It's covered in dust... It hasn't been used in so long...)

Hotaru(Please... Let me play on it.)

Hotaru...?

Hotaru(Wait... Down by the pedals. Something fell...)

Hotaru(A Nikopan-chan... keychain...?)

Hotaru(Could this be... Kanata-san's...?)

NatsumeCome on, let's get started already!

HotaruR-right! I'll get ready right away!

Hotaru(Sorry. It might be a little cramped in there, please stay in my pocket for now, okay?)

HotaruThank you for waiting. Please... let's begin!